Exploration of the distinctive display titled "City Scenes" within the City Museum's halls
In commemoration of Horst Schlesiger's centennial, the City Museum at Prinz-Max-Palais will unveil a special exhibition titled "Scenes of a City: The Karlsruhe Photographer Horst Schlesiger" from October 27, 2025, to October 26, 2026. The exhibition, featuring around 300 images, offers a comprehensive insight into Schlesiger's photographic career.
A guided tour of the exhibition will take place on June 1, 2025, at 3 pm, led by Susanne Stephan-Kabierske. Visitors are invited to attend without prior registration, and the tour is free, included in the museum's admission price.
Little is known about Schlesiger's recognition in the wider photography community, but his extensive work in documenting life in Karlsruhe for approximately four decades spanning 1950 to 1990 earned him significant recognition locally. Serving as a freelance photojournalist for the "Badischen Neuesten Nachrichten" (BNN), Schlesiger captured over 70,000 images that significantly shaped the newspaper's local news coverage.
Though mainstream sources do not widely acknowledge the extent of Schlesiger's influence on Karlsruhe's photojournalism, further research in local media or archives might shed light on his role as a chronicler of the city's life.
In Schlesiger's body of work, the home-and-garden lifestyle of Karlsruhe residents is extensively documented, reflecting his deep local roots and dedication as a chronicler of the city. This extensive documentation, particularly during his four-decade career with the "Badischen Neuesten Nachrichten," provides valuable insights into the evolution of Karlsruhe's lifestyle over the past century.
